São Paulo Brazil Temple Wiki
Quick Facts
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ANNOUNCED BY
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GROUNDBREAKING
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GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
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DEDICATED
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DEDICATED BY
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Description
The São Paulo Brazil Temple is the 17th operating temple.
History
Announcement
In 1975 at an area conference in Brazil, then President of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball, announced that a temple would be built in São Paulo. Even before a song was sung or a prayer was offered, President Spencer W. Kimball stood before the congregation gathered for the 1975 São Paulo Brazil Area Conference and said, “I have an important announcement.” Hush fell over the crowd. “A temple will be built in Brazil,” he continued as a rendition of the edifice was unveiled to a chorus of gasps. “It will be built [here] in São Paulo.”[1]Richard O. Cowan, “The Pace Quickens,” Temples to Dot the Earth (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Incorporated, 1997): 181.[2]”Temple Announced for Brazil,” Ensign, April 1975, p75.
ANNOUNCED ORDER
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Render Released
In conjunction with the announcement, a render of the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple was unveiled by President Kimball.
OFFICIAL RENDER
At that time, part of the cost of building a temple was borne by the general membership of the Mormon Church, South American members were given assignments to earn money towards the São Paulo Temple fund, in addition to paying tithes and offerings. Each ward or branch was assigned an amount of money to raise. Many of the members did not have money to contribute to the temple fund and instead offered rings, bracelets and other objects of gold, silver, and precious stones.[3]”Temple Progress in Brazil,” LDS Church News, Jan 1977, p 3 Each ward that was assigned to raise an amount of money either met or surpassed the goal.
Groundbreaking
Construction of the temple began 20 March 1976, with a groundbreaking ceremony at which Elder James E. Faust of the presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy presided. More than 2,000 Saints attended that ceremony
Twelve months after the announcement of the temple, construction began. Hundreds of members gathered to clear the site, which included removing brush, weeds, and banana trees. Sacrifice continued with eight hundred members donating their time to produce fifty thousand blocks of cast stone composed of quartz, marble chips, and white concrete for the exterior of the São Paulo Temple.
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Cornerstone
On 9 March 1977, President Marion G. Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency, cemented the cornerstone of the temple in place. President Kimball presided at that ceremony.
Open House
An open house for the new temple was held 1-30 September 1978. Visitors to the public open house of the temple were treated with a theatrical production entitled “The Gate,” written by Ana Glucia Ceciliato. In the weeks preceding the open house, some sixty Church children, youth, and adults gathered for rehearsals in São Paulo from various cities in the region. Over 20,000 people enjoyed the talents and testimonies of these Saints, making it one of the most effective missionary tools.[4]Daniel H. Ludlow, “South America, The Church in,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992) 1396.
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Dedication
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The São Paulo Temple was the first Mormon temple built in South America. It was dedicated on October 30, 1978 by President Spencer W. Kimball. At the time, there were more than 242,000 members of the Church living in South America, with 54,000 in Brazil alone. As of 2006 there are a total of thirteen Mormon temples in South America.
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Dedicatory Order
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REGION
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COUNTRY
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For a time, the São Paulo Brazil Temple offered overnight endowment sessions from Friday through Saturday to accommodate the many members who came on the weekend.
Announced
Under Construction
Under Renovation
Renovation
n August 2002 for a significant renovation and expansion project. The basement was finished into additional space, and the mechanical systems were upgraded. The original furniture—made of exceptional quality in the factory of the first stake president of Brazil—was easily restored to superb condition.[5]Fernando Assis, “Sao Paulo temple ready for re-dedication,” Church News 31 Jan. 2004: 3.
On August 20, 2003, twenty-five years after the opening of the temple, a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was added during the extensive renovation project.
Open House
During the open house held from 17 January-14 February preceding the rededication of the temple, 99,000 people toured the refurbished temple. This is an average of 3,960 people per day of the 25 day open house. Distinguished guests included São Paulo State Governor, Geraldo Alckmin and former Brazil President Fernando Collor de Mello. “The temple is magnificent,” Mr. Collor de Mello said. “Congratulations on your faith in Brazil and on the strength and faith of your people.”[6]“99,000 visit temple,” Church News 28 Feb. 2004: 5.
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Rededication
Dedication
President Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the São Paulo Brazil Temple on February 22, 2004.
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Presidents And Matrons
| Temple President | Temple Matron | Years Served |
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| Reinaldo de Souza Barreto | Glaucia Regina Caverni Barreto | 2024–2024 |
| Paulo Roberto Toffanelli | Marilú Pereira Toffanelli | 2021–2024 |
| Romeo Antonio Piros | Ilza Maria Alves Piros | 2018–2021 |
| Fernando Antonio Muniz e Silva | Monica Lacerda Muniz e Silva | 2015–2018 |
| Paulo Roberto Puerta | Rita Cundari Puerta | 2012–2015 |
| Stanley Duane Neeleman | Sheryl Lynn Hunt Neeleman | 2009–2012 |
| Jairo Mazzagardi | Elizabeth Ienne Mazzagardi | 2006–2009 |
| Joseph Kent Jolley | Jill Waldram Leishman Jolley | 2003–2006 |
| Oswaldo Silva Camargo | Beatriz da Silva Camargo | 1999–2003 |
| Aledir Paganelli Barbour | Christine Barbour | 1996–1999 |
| Athos Marques de Amorím | Maria Alice Pires Ferrao Amorím | 1993–1996 |
| Helio da Rocha Camargo | Nair Belmira de Bouvea Camargo | 1990–1993 |
| Wayne Moore Beck | Evelyn Williams Moon Beck | 1987–1990 |
| Hal Roscoe Johnson | Virginia Pond Johnson | 1984–1987 |
| José Benjamim Puerta | Diva Euzébia Puerta | 1979–1984 |
| Finn Bergstedt Paulsen | Sara Melissa Broadbent Paulsen | 1978–1979 |
Details
Sao Paulo Brazil Temple was the first temple to use the single story, single spire design. The spire is 101 feet (31 m) tall.
The São Paulo Brazil Temple has a total of 59,246 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms.
Exterior
Cladding
Windows
Symbolism
Inscriptions
Cornerstone
Spires and Moroni
Spire
Moroni
Compass and picture
Individuals and Contractors
Region
TEMPLES IN BRAZIL by state
| Alagoas | 1 | Maceió |
| Amazonas | 1 | Manaus |
| Bahia | 1 | Salvador |
| Ceará | 1 | Fortaleza |
| Distrito Federal | 1 | Brasília |
| Espírito Santo | 1 | Vitória |
| Goiás | 1 | Goiânia |
| Mato Grosso do Sul | 1 | Campo Grande |
| Minas Gerais | 1 | Belo Horizonte |
| Pará | 1 | Belém |
| Paraíba | 1 | João Pessoa |
| Paraná | 2 | Curitiba · Londrina |
| Pernambuco | 1 | Recife |
| Piauí | 1 | Teresina |
| Rio de Janeiro | 1 | Rio de Janeiro |
| Rio Grande do Norte | 1 | Natal |
| Rio Grande do Sul | 1 | Porto Alegre |
| Santa Catarina | 1 | Florianópolis |
| São Paulo | 5 | Campinas · Ribeirão Preto · Santos · São Paulo · São Paulo East |
TEMPLES IN SOUTH AMERICA by country
| Argentina | 7 | Bahía Blanca · Buenos Aires Argentina · Buenos Aires City Center · Córdoba · Mendoza · Rosario · Salta |
| Bolivia | 3 | Cochabamba · La Paz · Santa Cruz |
| Brazil | 24 | Belém · Belo Horizonte · Brasília · Campinas · Campo Grande · Curitiba · Florianópolis · Fortaleza · Goiânia · João Pessoa · Londrina · Maceió · Manaus · Natal · Porto Alegre · Recife · Ribeirão Preto · Rio de Janeiro · Salvador · Santos · São Paulo · São Paulo East · Teresina · Vitória |
| Chile | 6 | Antofagasta · Concepción · Puerto Montt · Santiago · Santiago West · Viña del Mar |
| Colombia | 4 | Barranquilla · Bogotá · Cali · Medellín |
| Ecuador | 2 | Guayaquil · Quito |
| Paraguay | 1 | Asunción |
| Peru | 10 | Arequipa · Chiclayo · Chorrillos · Cusco · Huancayo · Iquitos · Lima · Lima Los Olivos · Piura · Trujillo |
| Uruguay | 2 | Montevideo · Rivera |
| Venezuela | 2 | Caracas · Maricaibo |
Total: 61
Sources and Links
References
| ↑1 | Richard O. Cowan, “The Pace Quickens,” Temples to Dot the Earth (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Incorporated, 1997): 181. |
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| ↑2 | ”Temple Announced for Brazil,” Ensign, April 1975, p75. |
| ↑3 | ”Temple Progress in Brazil,” LDS Church News, Jan 1977, p 3 |
| ↑4 | Daniel H. Ludlow, “South America, The Church in,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992) 1396. |
| ↑5 | Fernando Assis, “Sao Paulo temple ready for re-dedication,” Church News 31 Jan. 2004: 3. |
| ↑6 | “99,000 visit temple,” Church News 28 Feb. 2004: 5. |
Last updated on: 20 February 2026